⚠️ Watch out: Scammers sometimes claim to be from a bank and ask you to open a Deblock account.
Real banks, including Deblock - will never ask you to open a new account to protect your money or fix a problem. If this happens, hang up and contact us directly through the app.
💔 Romance scams
A scammer builds a real-feeling relationship with you online — often through dating apps or social media. Once they've gained your trust, they'll introduce a fake investment opportunity or claim a sudden personal emergency and ask for money. These scams can last weeks or months.
Warning signs:
Relationship moves unusually fast — very attentive from day one
Claims to be overseas — can never meet in person
Introduces crypto investing after trust is established
Asks for money via crypto, wire transfer, or gift cards
Disappears once payment is made
Real-life examples:
A woman met a man on a dating app who claimed to be a successful crypto trader. Over weeks he convinced her they were in a serious relationship, then guided her to invest over $100,000 on a fake platform. When she tried to withdraw, she was locked out and he disappeared. (FTC.gov)
A 44-year-old woman believed she was in a genuine relationship with a well-known TV personality after being shown AI-generated videos and a convincing Instagram profile. Over months she was pressured into sending money regularly, ultimately losing her disability benefits. (Daily Telegraph)
In Colorado, a man invested over $160,000 with someone he met online who claimed to be both a romantic interest and crypto trading expert. When withdrawals were blocked, the person disappeared. (Hrhsnews)
💸 Investment / pig butchering scams
A scammer builds a relationship before introducing a fake crypto investment platform. You might see fake profits at first — but when you try to withdraw, your money is blocked and gone.
Warning signs:
Promises high, guaranteed returns with little or no risk
Uses a platform you've never heard of — always with glowing reviews
Lets you see fake profits to encourage investing more
Blocks withdrawals — then asks for 'fees' to release your funds
Built on a long 'friendship' before the investment is mentioned
Real-life examples:
A retiree was scammed out of $330 million through a long-term pig butchering scam. (Forbes)
Europol busted a crypto fraud ring operating fake investment platforms, seizing €1 million and arresting 15 suspects. (Bitcoinist)
Belgium's FSMA issued an alert about fake investment schemes targeting retirees, with scammers impersonating financial advisors via cold calls and fake websites. (FSMA)
A retired teacher lost £85,000 via a cloned website imitating a well-known bank. Action Fraud confirmed a surge in similar cases. (Action Fraud)
📸 Fake giveaways / celebrity impersonation
A social media post or ad — often using a deepfake of a celebrity — claims you can double your crypto by sending some first. Once you send it, it's gone. There is no giveaway.
Warning signs:
"Send X to get 2X back" — always fake, no exceptions
Uses famous names to seem credible
Creates urgency — 'limited spots', 'ends in 10 minutes'
Asks you to connect your wallet or send crypto directly
Real-life examples:
Scammers used deepfake videos of Martin Lewis and other UK figures to trick people into fake crypto giveaways, stealing £35 million. (The Guardian)
Giveaway scams promoted via fake Elon Musk profiles led to widespread wallet drains across Europe. (Euronews)
🦹 Phishing — fake emails, SMS & websites
A message that looks like it's from Deblock or another trusted brand links to a fake website asking for your login or seed phrase. Scammers capture your details and take your funds. These messages often sound formal and urgent.
Warning signs:
Urgent language — 'your account will be suspended'
Slightly wrong URLs — deblock.io vs. deblocck.io
Asks for your password, PIN, or seed phrase
Link doesn't match the official website — always check carefully
Real-life examples:
Dozens of fake wallet sites mimicked real services. Victims typed in their seed phrases and lost everything. (TechCrunch)
Chainalysis reported phishing scams as a key driver of Europe's $5.5 billion in crypto fraud losses in 2024. (Cryptopolitan)
In 2024, older Americans lost $2.8 billion to phishing and fake investment platforms. (Forbes)
🏦 Impersonation / courier fraud
A caller claims to be from Deblock, your bank, or the police. They say your account is at risk and ask you to move money — or send a courier to collect your card. No real bank will ever send a courier or ask you to open a new account.
Warning signs:
Unexpected call about a security threat
Asks you to move money to a 'safe account'
Sends a courier to collect your card, cash, or valuables
Asks for your card PIN — no real bank ever does this
Asks you to open a new Deblock account — a clear red flag
Real-life examples:
An 86-year-old widow in Scotland was tricked into handing over £2 million in gold bars to scammers posing as FCA officers. A courier came to collect them. (The Times)
In North Wales, elderly residents received calls claiming their card was compromised. Scammers sent couriers to collect cards and PINs. (Wrexham.com)
🖥️ Remote access / tech support scams
You're warned of a problem with your device and asked to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer. Once installed, the scammer drains your accounts — using calm, professional language throughout.
Warning signs:
Unsolicited call about a device or account issue
Asks you to install remote access software
Calm, professional tone to seem legitimate
Urgency — 'we need access now or your account will be locked'
Real-life examples:
A 77-year-old woman installed remote software believing she was helping PayPal support. The scammer made 44 transactions totalling $40,000. (InfoSecurity Magazine)
Over 1,500 people in France were tricked into giving bank access to scammers pretending to be bank advisers. (Connexion France)
🔁 Recovery scams
After being scammed once, someone reaches out claiming they can recover your lost funds — for an upfront fee. Then they disappear too.
Warning signs:
Contacts you shortly after a previous scam
Claims to be a recovery expert, lawyer, or official
Asks for an upfront payment to start recovery
Promises results that sound too good to be true
Real-life examples:
A Florida man who lost crypto in an investment scam was targeted by a fake recovery company that charged $10,000 upfront. He never heard from them again.
A British pensioner was charged £3,000 by a fake 'recovery agent', who then disappeared. Action Fraud confirmed multiple similar cases. (Action Fraud)
🛍️ Online purchase scams
Fake listings on social media or marketplaces offer items at suspiciously low prices. You pay quickly by transfer or crypto — and the item never arrives.
Warning signs:
Price is far below market value
Insists on bank transfer or crypto — no buyer protection
Won't meet in person or allow collection
Creates pressure — 'someone else is interested, decide now'
Real-life examples:
A man from London paid £220 for nonexistent concert tickets via a fake Facebook seller. Action Fraud received hundreds of similar reports. (BBC News)
A 28-year-old in Marseille lost €450 after buying a PlayStation 5 on Leboncoin. The seller requested an instant wire transfer and disappeared. (La Provence)
💼 Fake job offer scams
An easy remote job arrives via LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or Telegram — but first you need to pay for training or equipment. After you pay, the recruiter disappears.
Warning signs:
Unsolicited offer — you didn't apply for it
Communication via WhatsApp or Telegram only
Upfront payment required for onboarding or equipment
Vague job description — 'data entry', 'liking posts'
Real-life examples:
A woman from Lyon was contacted via LinkedIn about a remote job and asked to pay €300 for 'initial certification'. After payment, the employer vanished. (DGCCRF)
Germany's BKA issued warnings about WhatsApp job scams where victims paid upfront for fake training packages and never heard back. (BKA)
🎁 Lottery / inheritance / advance-fee scams
You're told you've won a prize or inherited money — but you must pay fees first. Once you pay, the scammers are gone. These messages are often very polite and formal.
Warning signs:
You 'won' something you never entered
Formal, legal-sounding language
Asks for fees before you receive anything
Involves international transfers or foreign 'lawyers'
Real-life examples:
French citizens lost €7.6 billion in 12 months, many to fake lotteries and inheritance offers via messaging platforms. (GASA)
An elderly woman in California lost over $500,000 to a fake inheritance scam — paying 'release fees' to unlock a supposed $5 million inheritance. (AARP)
❤️ Charity scams
Fake charities appear after disasters or during holidays, using emotional stories to collect donations that go straight to scammers.
Warning signs:
Appears after a major disaster or news event
Uses QR codes or crypto instead of standard donation methods
No official registration number
Pressure to donate immediately
Real-life examples:
Following floods in southern France, authorities warned of fake humanitarian appeals using QR codes and texts mimicking known charities. (Ministère de l'Intérieur)
The Irish Charities Regulator warned about Instagram scams impersonating cancer charities. Victims realised the fraud when no receipts were ever issued. (Irish Examiner)
📦 Fake card activation / delivery fee scams
You're told your card is blocked or delayed and asked to pay a fee — or a fake courier is sent to collect your card directly.
Warning signs:
Unexpected contact about a card or delivery problem
Asked to pay a fee to activate or receive your card
A courier is sent to collect your card or cash
Official-sounding language to seem legitimate
Real-life examples:
Scammers across the UK sent fake couriers to collect cards under the guise of activation fees. Most victims were over 65. (Essex News & Investigations)
A customer in France transferred €54,500 after being contacted by someone pretending to be a bank adviser. (Reuters)
🚫 Deblock will NEVER:
Ask you to open a new account to protect your funds
Ask you to send crypto to a wallet
Tell you which crypto to buy or sell
Contact you by phone
Promise any financial returns
Ask for your PIN, card number, or recovery phrase
🤔 Need help?
If anything feels suspicious, contact us through the chat in the Deblock app — we're available 24/7. Your security is our priority.